Building construction



R. FELLOM BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 vSheets-'Sheet l Filed June l5, 1942 INVENTOR.v Roy FE/.Lo/v/ ff/MM@ May 28, 1946. R. FELLOM 2,401,062

v BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Y v Filed June 15, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 `IJs/V'ENTOR. Pay F15/.1.0M

Patented May 28, 1946 anton BUILDING ooNs'rnUcrIoN Roy Fellorn, San Francisco, Calif.

Application June 15, 1942, Serial No. 447,026

6 Claims.

This invention relates to building construction v in general, and particularly to the type of construction in which side wall, roof, or floor forming slabs or panels of pre-formed material are employed.

' One of the objects of this invention is improved .means for quickly securing pre-formed slabs in position against studding, rafters or joists in a building for forming the walls, roof, fioor, or the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for quickly securing preformed slabs of cementitious or composition material in position on studding, rafters or joists and which means includes pre-formed strips adapted to cover the cracks between adjacent slabs so as to prevent access of moisture to such cracks.

A still further object of the invention is improved means ior covering cracks between adjacent wall-forming slabs when the latter are in position against frame members in the building and which crack covering means carries elements that are adapted to slidably and wedgedly engage other elements separable therefrom and in engagement with the slabs in a manner for tightening the said means against the slabs, and which means when in position engaging the slabs will not become loosened from the slabs but will a1- ways maintain a tight engagement therewith irrespective of earth tremblors and variations in temperature.

Otherobjects and advantages will appear in the description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of the slabs of an outside wall with my covering strip in position over the adjacent edges and marginal portions of two vertical rows of slabs.

Fig. 2 is a part section, part elevational edge view of the slabs and strip of Fig. 1 showing the position of the slabs and strip and the means connecting the slabs and strip to the studding.

Fig, v3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with one attaching eleinent carried by the covering strip being shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a corner of a building showing the elements used for connecting a corner strip over the adjacent walls at said corner.V

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the attaching elements for a corner strip.

(Cl. I2-20) Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another attaching element for a corner strip,V shown in section at one end. Y n

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a 5 form ofthe invention slightly dierent from that of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a form of the invention employed where structural steel studding is used, as distinguished from 10` the wooden studs shown in the preceding views.

Fig, 10 is an enlarged perspective View of one of the elements used in the form of invention shown in Figs. 8, 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional View showing 15 a form of the invention that may be employed forming slabs on joists.

In detail the wall-forming slabs l are preferably of substantially rectangular shapeand are of a size sufiicient to extend between the adjacent studs of each pair thereof with the two opposite'marginal portions of each slab partially overlying each of such adjacent studs. These slabs may be of cement, concrete or of composition material. The studding is shown at 2.

Between the adjacent edges of the vertical rows of slabs is a channel strip 3 of sheet metal. Each such strip is formed with flanges 4 that extend oppositely outwardly from the free edges of the sides 5 of the channel, and which flanges overlie the adjacent marginal portions of the adjacent slabs of the pair of rows between which the channel strip is positioned (Fig. 4).

The bottom 6 of each strip 3 is formed with openings for nails 1 that secure the strip lto the stud over which the strip is positioned. 'Ihe 40 depth of the channel of strip 3 is less than the thickness of the slabs engaged by anges 4 hence causing the flanges 4 to tightly hold the slabs engaged by said anges against the stud to which strip 3 is nailed. The resiliency of the channel strip s Win result in a slight yieidabnity of the flanges suilicient to ho1d. the slab in engagement with the studding irrespective of earth tremblors or wide changes in temperature.-

The bottom 6 of each strip 3 is also formed with openings 9 spaced longitudinally of each strip. These openingsV are relatively large and may be slightly elongated longitudinally oi each strip, and the lower marginal portion I 0` adjacent each opening (when the strip is vertical) `is bent slightly into the space between sides 5 of the strip (Fig. 3) while the upper marginal portion II is bent slightly outwardly. The purpose of this structure is to provide guide means on the lchannel for an attaching element carried by the crack closing strip later to be described.

The flanges 4 of each stri-p 3 are bent to the same side of the flanges as the sides 5 as best indicated at 3 in Fig. e, and these portions 8 are adapted to it relatively freely -into grooves 8'` that are respectively formed in the marginal portions of the slabs over which the anges 4 are extended. Thus when portions 8 are in grooves 8 the superposed slabs in each row are aligned and any appreciable movement of the slabs toward and away from the sides 5 of each channel strip is prevented.

Covering the space between the slabs of adjacent rows and also covering each channel strip 3 including flanges 4 thereof, is a covering stripY strip I2 that faces the channel strip covered thereby are hook-like elements I3. These elements are preferably the 'projecting ends of Ya relatively. heavy reinforcing wire that is embedded in strip I2 and that extends longitudinally thereof, since strip I2 is preferably of cement, concrete or molded material. The projecting elements I3 are spaced apart substantially the same distance as openings 9 in the bottom 6 of each strip, and extend slantingly downwardly and outwardly. Preferably'that portion I4 of each wire element I3 that is within each strip I2 and adjacent element I3 is positioned within the strip to lie in substantially opposed relation to each element I 3 so as to resist any tendency of the wire to pull out of the stripY when a pulling force is applied toy elements I3.

Upon positioning eachf covering strip I2 over channel strip 3 in position Yindicated in dot-dash line at I5 in Fig. 2, the free ends of elements I3 will restV on bottom 6 of the channel, and as the strip I2 is moved downwardly said ends will be guided over the inwardly bent marginal portion II of each opening 9 through the bottom 6 of,

the channel strip andk into the space between said bottom and the studding adjacent thereto. Further downward movement of the strip I2 will result in a progressively increased tightening of the`cover strip I2 against the flanges 4 anda tightening of the strip against slabs I. Since elements I3 are resilient, the studding, slabs I and strips I2 are yieldably held in assembled relation.

Between flanges 4 and slabs I, Where the former overlie the adjacent slabs of the adjacentY rows thereof, I preferably place a plastic substance I6 commonly known to the trade as mastic and this substance also is disposed between the portions of each strip I2 that overlies .the said slabs. This substance hardens somewhat but is Waterproof and retains a certain degree of plasticity.

While some of the claims call for strips I2 as being drawn into substantial engagement with the slabs by the action of elements I3, it is to be understood that the sealing substance is preferably used between .the slabs and strips I2 to function as sealing gaskets, and as the substance I3 has an adhesive quality, once it is set it will also contribute materially to holding the strips I2 to slabs I.

At the corners of a building where the adjacent side walls end, I provide generally U-shaped clips 2i) (Figs. 5, 6) each having a short and a long leg. The longer leg 2| overlies the marginal portions of slabs I while the free edge of the shorter leg engagesthe edge of each slab. The legs are perforated with aligned openings for nails 22, hence when the nails in one pair of aligned openings is driven into corner studding 23 the slabs will be securely held against the studding and the engagement between the shorter leg of each clip and the slab held by the longer leg 2I will prevent any substantial tilting of the clip. Each clip is of sheet metal and slightly resilient, thus providing a yieldable securement of the corner slabs to studding 2,3. y

The corner covering strips 24 are angle strips of preferably the same material as strips I2, and are .provided with elements 25 identical with the elements I3 of the strips I2 and which elements 25 project into the 90"` angle between the sides of each strip 24. These elements 25 on each strip 24 are adapted to slide through holes 21 in the bottom of a channel strip 28 (Fig. '7) upon the corner cover strips 24 being positioned over the corner of the building and being moved downwardly in the manner used for securing strips i2 in position. The legs of each channel strip 28 are secured to thecorner studding 23 kwith the open side of the channel over the corner of the studding; thus the outside of the bottom of the channel faces the elements 25, which is the reverse of the position of strips 3. The inclination of the portions '29, 30 of each channel 21 (Fig. 9) that corresponds with portions I0, II of each strip 3 is such as to guide elements 25 into the space between the corner studding and the bottom of strip 28.

Itis pertinent to note that the opposite end edges of each strip I2 are rabbeted at opposite sides so that a downwardly projecting lip or eX- tension 30 at the lower end of each strip will t into a complementary recess in the upper edge of the strip therebelow so as to insure against leakage at the joints thus formed Corner strips 23 are similarly formed at their opposite end edges (not shown).

In some instances it is found desirable to attach the covering strips I2 to individual U-shaped clips secured to studding 2 as best seen in Fig. 8. One of lsuch clips is bestshown in Fig. 10, and merely consists of a U-shaped element 3|, the sides of which are bent oppositely outwardly as at 32 to provde'extensions having .perforations 33 therein for nails 34. such strip faces the studding 2 and the extensions 32 are secured tightly against the studding by said nails. The slabs I extend at their adjacent margins over the extensions 32 and the loop formed by the U of each clip extends between the adjacent edges of the slabs (Fig. 8).

These clips 3 I, are spaced on studding 2 so that elements I3 Will engage in the loops provided by said clips and upon downward movement of the covering strip I2 the wedging, but yieldable engagement between the elements I3 and lthe clips will cause the strip I 2 Ato be drawn tightly against the slaps I. I

The principal difference between the type of construction shown in Fig. 8 and that of the construction in Figfli is that the 'clips 3l do not have flanges that yieldably hold the slabs to the studding, but the elements I3 and strips I2 perform this function entirely.

Where steel studding is used, as shown in Fig. 9, the same strips 3I may be employed, although theholes 33 are superfluous and can be omitted. The slabs are held in place against the studding, (with the extensionsvof the clips 3I betweenrthe slabs and studding) by clamping elements 35 The open side of each that engage the flanges 3B of vthe studding and the slabs, and which elements are yieldably held in clamping relation by loops 3l carried by the slabs; all as fully shown and described in my copending application,` Serial No. 377,808, filed February 77, 1941,'now U. S.Y Patent No. 2,332,795.

The elements I3 of the slabs l2 thus engagein theloops of the elements 3|` in the saine rnanner as described for Fig-.8, but in this instance the yieldable elements; that clamp the slabs to the studding also function to secure the clips 3l in position,"although the clips 3l may be |previously secured-to the, studding in any desired manner, such as by spotwelding or by welding in holes .'53 if the latter are retained. i i A l In both of the forms indicated in Figs. 8 and 9,*itV is preferable to provide mastic 39 between the strips l2 andY slabs l to insurea waterproof seal.

In Fig. 11`the studding indicated att@ is of concrete andhas the heads of bolts il imbedded therein with the threaded endsof the bolts projecting from the studdi'ng.Z 'These bolts take the place of the nails l of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, but otherwise the structure is the vsame as shown in Fig. 4. Nuts 42 in channel strip 3 on the threaded ends of bolts M, securing the strip in position.

In Fig. 12 I show a pair of floor slabs :i3 positioned with their adjacent marginal portions on a floor joist M. The said marginal portions are rabbeted to provide recesses in the upper sides of the slabs at their adjacent edges. Said recesses receive the opposite ends of an upwardly bowed strip 45 that extends across the crack between the adjacent slabs. This strip is secured to the joist lill by a screw i5 that passes through the space between the slabs, and as the screw is tightened the strip will yieldably force the marginal portions of the slabs into tight engagement with the joist. After the slabs are secured to the joist, the recess in which the strip andscrew head are positioned is lled with cement 41 or i other suitable material so that the iioor surface will be level.

It is obvious that certain modifications may be made in the various forms of the invention herein described, but in all of said forms it is pertinent to note that the slabs, whether for side Walls, roof or floor, are yieldably held in position, and in the case of the side walls and roof structure, the .force of gravity alone contributes to holding the slabs and the strips 12in tightly assembled yieldable relationship by reason of the particular structure used.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Building wall construction comprising an elongated wall-frame member; a pair of substantially rectangular wall-slabs alongside each other with their adjacent marginal portions spaced apart and supported against said member leaving a crack between said slabs extending longitudinally of said member; an element positioned in said crack and extending transversely thereacross and spaced from said member; a strip extending longitudinally of said crack covering the latter and extending over said marginal portions; means securing said element to said member; a relatively resilient and elongated metal member secured to said strip at one end and extending divergently therefrom and into the space between said element and said member yieldably engaging said element for yieldably securing said strip to said member in position covering said crack.

2. Building wall construction comprising an elongated Wall frame member; a pair of substantially rectangular wall-slabs alongside each other with their adjacent marginal portions spaced in engagement with said marginal portions f or` securing said marginal `portions against `said member; a strip extending longitudinallyV of said crack covering the latter and extending over said marginal portions and over said projections;

means secured to said strip extending betweenv thelegs ofsaid element and through thebase end'into the space between said base end of the latter and said member and into releasable engagement with the `side of said base end that faces said member/for releasably securing said strip against said projections and in a position over said crack and over said element.

3. Building Wall construction comprising an elongated frame member; a pair of substantially rectangular wall-slabs alongside each other with their adjacent marginal portions spaced apart and supported against said member leaving a crack between said slabs extending longitudinally of said member; a channel-strip within said crack extending longitudinally thereof; ilanges on the sides of said channel-strip extending over the surfaces of said marginal portions that face outwardly of said member; means securing said channel-strip to said member; openings formed in the bottom of said channel strip; a covering-strip extending over said crack and longitudinally thereof; a plurality of elongated, relatively resilient metal elements carried by said strip and projecting therefrom and through Vsaid openings to positions respectively extending over theside of said bottom that faces toward said memberand in engagement with said bottom for securing said covering strip to said channel strip.

4. Building wall construction comprising `an elongated frame member; a pair of substantially rectangular wall-slabs alongside each other with t their adjacent marginal portions spaced apart and overlying said member leaving a crack `be tween said slabs extending longitudinally of said member; a substantially U-shaped element disposed within said crack with its sides adjacent the adjacent edges of said slabs that extend along said marginal portions; means securing said channel element to said member with the base of the said element within said crack and spaced from said member; a covering strip extending over said crack and longitudinally thereof and extending over the sides of said marginal portions that face outwardly of said member; means yieldably securing said strip to said member and substantially against said sides of said marginal portions including a yieldable element secured to said strip and extending into the space between the base of said U-shaped element and said member in a direction generally longitudinally of said strip.

5. In a side wall for a building including generally vertical studding and substantially rectangular pairs of adjacent Wall-forming slabs disposed alongside each other with their adjacent marginal portions extending over each studding; means spacing said marginal portions apart and securing said respective pairs of adjacent slabs to each studding comprising a channel-element disposed between the said marginalportions with its base adjaeentthe studding and secured thereto, and anges on the sides of said element overlying the said m-arginal portions outwardly of Ysaid studding; a covering strip extending longitudinally of each studding and over the sides of said adjacent marginal portions that face outwardly of said studding; means secured to each strip and removablyconnected to the base of each element yieldably securing said strips to 1 said studding and against said marginal portions,

the adjacent edges of said slabs that extend along said marginal portions; oppositely outwardly extending projections on said element at the free ends of the legs thereof extending over the sides of said marginal portions that face outwardly of said studding; recesses formed in the said sides of said marginal portions; said projections having end portions extending into said recesses; openings formed in the bottom of said U-shaped element; a covering strip extending over said crack and longitudinally thereof and over the Vsaid marginal portions; means on said covering strip extending divergently downwardly therefromA and slidably through the said openings in the bottom of said Uv-shaped element securing said covering strip against saidvslabs and to said U-shaped element, said last mentioned means comprising elongated. rod-like members secured at one of their ends to said covering strip and spaced from said covering strip at their opposite ends; and guide means on said bottom for guiding said opposite ends of said rod-like members through said openings, and means securing said U-shapedelement to the studding.

' ROY FELLOM. 

